Correspondent file photo / David Dermer Springfield running back Marco Gentile (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a game against Western Reserve on Oct. 4 in Berlin Center.

NEW MIDDLETOWN — It’s been 21 seasons as an assistant coach for Adam Slopek at Springfield. That run even extends prior to former head coach Sean Guerriero’s stint leading the Tigers.

But Slopek is finally getting his shot at being a head coach after Guerriero decided to step away to focus on being Springfield’s athletic director.

Slopek doesn’t view the 2025 campaign as his first opportunity to be a head coach. It’s an opportunity to connect to people in a community that he values.

“It’s really special because of the people, because of our players first and their families, their parents,” Slopek said. “Our administration is very supportive, our staff here, our faculty, very supportive. Springfield’s a really special place. It’s not about being a head coach anywhere, it was about being the head coach here.”

With that said, there are big shoes to fill in New Middletown.

Guerriero spent nearly two decades coaching the Tigers. During that time, Springfield blossomed into one of the strongest football programs in the Mahoning Valley, including trips to the state championship in 2019 and 2020.

The Tigers are coming off a 10-3 season and a trip to the regional semifinals. They started the year 1-2 after losses to South Range (14-1, Division V) and Geneva (10-2, D-III), but they rattled off nine straight wins, including victories over Black River and Toronto in the playoffs.

“I don’t see too far ahead. I’m hoping we have a really great Wednesday afternoon practice,” Slopek said. “This isn’t just this year. It’s always been about the next play, the next day, the next practice, the next game.

“So with expectations, we try to stay as narrow focused as we can.”

OFFENSE

Brayden Baird returns as the Tigers starting quarterback.

“I think he has grown leaps and bounds. Maybe not physically, but mentally,” Slopek said. “His approach, his leadership, I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s prepared and practiced so far.”

Springfield will need to replace a standout running back in Dante Gentile. Junior Marco Gentile and sophomore Alex Caldwell will be tasked with filling the void at running back.

Matt Wymer returns for his senior season at receiver. Juniors Steven Morlan will be one of the go-to pass catchers, and classmate Tristan Temperato will also get time, but he had an injury that he was working through during the summer.

The Tigers had some vacancies along the offensive line over the summer, but the team will lean on senior Russell Lyda. With plenty of snaps under his belt, Lyda played every spot on the offensive line last season, but he will be the right tackle this fall.

We shuffled (Russell Lyda) around a lot to give other guys breaks,” Slopek said.

Senior Nate Hephner will return at tight end after getting all-league honors last season.

Senior Ayden Servedo and junior Joe Lyda are competing for the starting center spot. Senior Brayden D’Angelo and junior Dom Jones will be the guards, and junior Aidan Jacobsen is penciled in at left tackle. Sophomore Dom Payne could also see some time at guard.

DEFENSE

Every good defensive line needs at least one game who can create a little chaos.

Senior nose guard Evan Mericle looks to be that guy again after receiving All-MVAC Scarlet honors last season.

“He’s done a great job preparing himself physically for the season,” Slopek said. “He’s short, but he’s strong and fast.”

Russell Lyda will line up opposite Mericle at defensive tackle. Junior Drake Benson didn’t start but he saw enough time to letter at defensive end. That will change this year as he gets the nod.

Gentile is back at outside linebacker, and John Tkach will man the outside backer spot on the strong side. Hephner will be the middle linebacker, Jones will be the weakside backer and Caldwell will fill in where necessary.

Slopek plans to rotate guys in the secondary to keep players fresh.

Freshman Brock Masello and Wymer will line up at cornerback. Senior Brody Sanders and Eli Wonner will be the safeties, along with freshman Michael Rogenski. Baird will swing between the two safety spots when called upon.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Tigers held open competitions for the kicker and punter jobs.

Wonner was the short snapper for point-after attempts, but he also got some looks at kicker. Freshman Grady Page and Wonner were still fighting for the kicking duties with a couple weeks to go before the opener.

Baird is expected to be the punter, and Gentile will be the long snapper.